Hinge means for folding table and seat structure



K. H. WILSON July l30, 1963 HINGE MEANS FOR FOLDING TABLE AND SEATSTRUCTURE Filed April 5, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet l July 30, 1963 K. H.wlLsoN 3,099,480

HINGE MEANS FOR FOLDING TABLE AND SEAT STRUCTURE INVEN TOR. KEHMl-r H.VWLsoN AT TORNEYS K, H. WILSON July 30, 1963 HINGE MEANS FOR FOLDINGTABLE AND SEAT STRUCTURE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 5, 1961 FIG. 5

INVEN TOR. KERMIT HWLso/v BY W M AT TORNEYS nite States My inventionrelates generally to ltable and seat structures, and more particularlyto improvements in the construction of folding table -an'd seatstructures.

More specifically, my present invention is in the nature of animprovement on table and seat structures generally of the type disclosedin my United States I etters Patents 2,702,585, issued February 22,1955, and 2,721,778, issued October 25, 1955.

In large multi-purpose rooms which are utilized at various times asdining rooms, meeting halls, dancing areas and the like, it is desirablethat multi-purpose furniture be used. Such furniture normally include-stables, chairs, benches and the like, or table and seat combinations.Such furniture is preferably of the folding type, so :as to be stored inVa minimum of space. In instances where, in a given room, floor spacemust be conserved, table and bench combinations are most desirableinasmuch as they utilize the available space most eiciently, such asvfor dining purposes or the like. However, when the same room is to -beoccupied by a relatively small group of people, it is sometimes desiredthat the tables be equipped with chairs having backs thereon, forgreater seating comfort.

An important object of my invention is the provision of a table and seatstructure in which the seat structure is secured to the table structurefor folding movements relative to the table structure, and having novelmeans whereby the seat structure may be quickly and easily removedcompletely from the table structure `and as quickly and easily securedthereto.

Another object `of my invention is the provision of novel means forreleasably locking a seat element to a table structure, kand whichpermits free movement of the seat element between an operative positionat one side of the table structure and `an inoperative folded posi-tionlaterally inwardly disposed with respect to said operative position ofthe seat element.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a hinge mounting andlocking means for releasably and foldably mounting a seat structure to atable structure, which means is relatively simple and inexpensive toproduce, which is highly efficient in operation, and which is rugged inconstruction and durable in use.

The above, and still further highly important objects and advantages ofmy invention Will 'become apparent from the following detailedspecification, appended claims and :attached drawings.

Referring to the drawings, which illustrate the inven1 tion, and inwhich like reference characters indicate like parts throughout theseveral views:

FIG. l is a view in plan of a folding table and seat structure, made inaccordance with my invention, some parts being broken away;

FIG. 2 is a view in side elevation;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view corresponding to FIG. 2, but showing thetable `and seat structure in a folded position;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on the line 4 4 of FIG.2;

FIG. 5 is an' enlarged transverse section taken substantially on theline 5`-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a still further enlarged fragmentary section takensubstantially on the line 6-6 of FIG. 2; and

Patented July 30, i963 FIG. 7 is a view in perspective of one of thehinge elements of my invention.

Referring with greater detail to the drawings, table top means is shown':as comprising a pair of normally horizontally disposed top sections 1and 2 in substantially end-to-end relationship, the top sections eachcomprising flat top elements 3` and 4 respectively ard underlyinggenerally rectangular frames 5 and 6 respectively. The frames 5 and y6are preferably made from cross sectionally channel shaped metallicmembers bent into generally U-shape to provide side rails 7 and 8 andouter end rail portions 9. The inner ends of the frames 5 and 6 comprisetubular members 10l that extend transversely of their overlying topelements 3 fand 4, and which are welded or otherwise rigidly secured attheir opposite ends to the adjacent ends of their respective side railportions 7 and 8. 'Ihe top sections 1 and 2 are pivotally securedtogether at their inner end portions by hinges 11 that are welded orotherwise rigidly secured to the tubular members 10, for swingingmovements of the top sections 1 and 2 between their horizontallydisposed operative position of FIG. 2 and ltheir generally verticallydisposed folded positions of FIG. 3. The top elements 3 and 4 arerigidly l`ecured to their respective frames 5 and 6, by any suitablevneans not shown.

The top sections 1 and 2 are supported adjacent their outer ends byouter leg structures 12 and 13 respectively, iand adjacent their innerends by common inner leg structure, indicated generally by the numeral14. The outer leg structures 12 `and 13 each comprise laterally spacedgener-ally vertically disposed upper leg sections 15 disposed laterallyinwardly of the vertical planes of the longitudinal side edges of theirrespective top elements 3 and 4, transversely extending horizontallydisposed sections 16, tand vertically disposed lower leg sections 17positioned laterally outwardly with respect to the vertical planes ofthe longitudinal side edges of their respective top elements 3 `and 4,see particularly FIG. 5. The upper leg sections 1S are joinedintermediate their ends by upper cross bars 18, and the lhorizontallydisposed portions 16 and lower leg sections 17 of each leg structure 12and 13 are joined by horizontally disposed lower cross bzars or the like19, the cross bars 18 and 19 being rigidly connected to their respectiveleg sections and portions by suitable means, such as welding or thelike. 'Ilhe lower ends of the lower leg sections 17 are provided withground or floor engaging caster wheels 20, the upper ends of said legsections 17 -being provided with rubber-like caps or tips 21 for apurpose which will hereinafter become apparent.

The upper ends of the upper leg sections 15 are welded or otherwiserigidly secured to tubular housings 22 that extend transversely of andare journalled at their opposite end portions in the side rail portions7 and `3 of the iframes 5 and 6. Each of the housings 22 has axiallyextending therethrough a torsion bar 23, see FIG. 4, that is pinned, asindicated at 24, or otherwise rigidly secured to an end cap 25 welded orotherwise rigidly secured to the adjacent end of the tubular housing 22.The opposite end of the tubular housing 22 is journalled in a bearing 26that is bolted or otherwise rigidly secured Ito the adjacent side railportion of a respective one of the Iframes S and `6, the adjacent end ofthe torsion bar 23 being anchored to the bearing 26 by a pin or the like27.

The inner leg structure 14 comprises an inverted generally U-shapedmember including a transverse horizontal portion 2S and depending legportions 29 which lterminate at their lower ends in iioor engaging tipsor the like 30. A pair of axially aligned tubular cross bars 31 arewelded or othenwise rigidly secured to the horizontal portion 28 and arejoined by a shaft 32 on which are journalled a pair of axially spacedtubular fend members 36 and a third tubular end member 34 intermediatethe `end members l33. A pair of laterally spaced upper leg sections 35have their lower ends each welded or otherwise rigidly secured, one tothe tubular end member 34 and the other to one of the cross members 31,and extend angularly upwardly :and longitudinally outwardly therefrom,the upper ends of the upper leg sections 35 being rigidly secured to theintermediate portion of a tubular housing 536 that is identical to thetubular housings 22. The tubular end members 33 are welded or otherwiserigidly secured to the lower ends of a pair of laterally spaced parallelupper leg sections 37 which extend angularly upwardly in divergingrelationship to the upper lieg sections 35, and which are rigidlysecured at their upper ends to a second tubular housing 38. Withreference particularly to FIG. 1, it will be seen that the tubularhousing 36 is journalled in the side rail portions '7 and 8 of the frame5 'adjacent its inner ends, and that the tubular housing 38 isjournalled in the side rail portions 7 and 8 of the frame 6 adjacent itsinner end. Like the tubular housings 22, the housings 36 and 3S areprovided with torsion bars 23, end caps 25, and bearings 26.

The torsion bars 23 associated with the top section 1 are disposed toyieldingly urge the outer leg structure y1-2 'and the upper leg sections35 of the inner leg structure 14 in a clockwise direct-ion o-f pivotalmovement with respect to FIG. i2, Iwhile the torsion bars 23 associatedwith the top section 2 are disposed to yieldingly urge the outer legstructure 13 and upper leg sections 3-7 of the inner leg structure 14 ina counterclockwise direction of rotation with respect lto FIG. 2,whereby to yieldin'gly urge the top sections 1 and 2 in a direction ofswinging movement relative to the leg structure toward their foldedpositions of FIG, 3. For the purpose of maintaining the outer legstructures l12 and '13 in a substantially vertical position during allpositions of movement of the top sections 1 and 2 between theirhorizontal and vertical positions, I provide rigid control links 39 and40, the Iformer of which is pivotally connected to a pair of tears 41attached to the upper cross bar 18 of the leg structure 12, and asindicated at 42, and at its other end to a cross shaft 43 extendingtransversely between the leg sections 35, see FIGS. 1 and 2. The controllinli 40 is likewise pivotally connected at one end between a pair ofears 44 rigidly connected to the upper leg sections of the leg structure13, and as indicated at I45, and at its other end =to a cross shaft 46extending Itransversely between the leg sections 37. With thisarrangement, the top sect-ions 1 and 2 together with their respectiveupper leg sections 15, 35 and 37, and their respective control links 39and 40, provide a parallelogram arrangement which maintains the outerleg structures l2 and 13 vertically disposed when the top sections `1and 2 are vertically positioned -as shown in FIG. 3, as well as when thesame are horizontally positioned as shown in lPIG. 2.

A pair of elongated seat or bench elements 47 are normally horizontallydisposed adjacent opposite longitudinal side edges of the top element 3and below the level thereof, and :a second pair of longitudinallyextending normally horizontally disposed seat or bench elements 4S aredisposed each adjacent an opposite longitudinal side edge of the Itopelement 4 and at a common level with the seat or bench elements 47. Theouter end portions of the seat elements 47 and 48 'are adapted to restnpon the cushion tips 21 of the leg structure 12 and 13y respectively,the inner end portions of the seat elements -47 and 48 being adapted torest upon similar cushions or tips 49 mounted on opposite ends of a pairof U-shaped supporting members 50 that yare welded or otherwise rigidlysecured to the outer ends of the cross members 31. The seat elements 47and 48 are each pivotally connected to the table by a pair of hinges,said hinges being designated in their entireties by the numeral 51,yeach of the hinges 51 comprising cooperating hinge elements 52 and 53pivotally connected together as indicated at 54. Each of the hingeelements 52 includes an extension portion 55 which underlies an endportion of an adjacent seat element A47 or 48 and which is bolted orotherwise rigidly secured thereto. With reference particularly to FIGS.l and 2, it will be seen that some of the hinges 51 are disposedadjacent the inner rends of the top sections l and 2, -the hingeelements 53 thereof having extension portions 56 that are axiallyslidably movable into the open end portions of the `adjacent tubularmembers lll. Adjacent their outer ends, the Iframes 5 and 6 of the topsections 1 and 2 are provided with relatively short tubular members 57which define recesses =for axial sliding reception of the extensionportions 56 of adjacent hinge elements 53, see particularly FIGS. l and6. With reference to FIG. 5, it will be seen that the hinges 51 mountthe seat elements 47 and 48 for swinging movements of said seat elementsbetween operative positions at opposite side of and below the level ofthe top elements 3 and 4, wherein the seat elements rest upon the tipsor cushions 2l `and `49, and inoperative folded positions wherein theseat elements 47 and 48 are disposed in overlying face to `face relationwith their respective top elements 3 and 4, as indicated by dotted linesin FIG. 5.

For lthe purpose of releasably locking the hinge elements 53 againstremoval of ltheir extension portions 56 from the tubular members 10v and57, I provide a plurality of latch members 58, preferably made fromflexible resilient material such as spring steel yor the like, each ofthe latch meinbens 58 :being secured at their inner ends tol one of thetubular meni'bers '10 and 57 lby means of rivets or the like 59extending diametrically through the members 10l and 57. As shown in FIG.6i, the latch members 58 extend longitudinally alongside theirrespective tubular members and outwardly through openings 610 in theadjacent side rail portions of the frames 5 and 6, the latch members 5.8being provided at their outer end portions with hook or detent portions61 that are received in strike forming annular grooves 62 in theextended portions 56 of the hinge element 53. 'llhe extension portions56 are formed tot provide diametrically opposed axially outwardlyopening slots y63 which receive the rivets 59 of their adjacent tubularmembers lil amd 57 whereby to limit inward movement of the extensionpor-tions 56 into the Irecesses defined by lthe tubular members 10 and577, and to prevent rotary movement of the hinge elements 53 relative tothe top sections 1 and 2 associated therewith. The ends of the latchelements 58 adjacent the latch hook or detent portions 61 areout-turned, as indi-cated at 64, to facilitate grasping thereof torelease the latch hook or detent portion `61 from the strike torminggroove 62.

In instances where it tis desirable that the above described table beused witliout the seat elements 47 and 48, such as when it is desiredthat individual backrest equipped chairs be used in connection with thetable, it is `a simple matter to remove the seat elements 47 and 48,with their respective hinges S1 from t-he table. The latch elements 58are merely rbent outwardly to disengage the detent or latch hookportions 61 tro-n1 the strike forming grooves or channels 62, `and fthehinge elements 63 are pulled axially outwardly from engagement withtheir respective tubular members 10 and 57. The seat elements 47 and 48may then .be moved to a suitable place for storage, leaving the tablefree toi 4be used with chairs or in any desired manner.

From the a'bove, it will tbe lseen that 'I have provided a 'table andseat combination fully capable of accomplishing the objectives setforth; and, while I have shown and described a preferred embodiment oftable and seat structure, it will be understood that the same is capableof modification 'without departure from the spirit and scope of theinvention, :as dened in the claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a table and seat structure, normally horizontally disposed tabletop means, comprising a flat top element .and an underlying supportingframe secured to said top element, leg .structure secured to said fnameand normally depending therefrom, a normally horizontally disposed seatelement, a mounting device mounting said seat element -to said frame forswinging movements of said seat element on a horizontal axis Iandbetween a horizontal disposed operative position at one side ci andrbellow the level yocE said top element and an inverted inoperativestorage position in face-to-face engagement with Ithe top surface orfsaid ltop element, :said mounting device comprising a pair ofcooperating hinge elements one of which is `secured to said seatelement, said frame delining a socket immediately Ibelow the bottomsurface of said top element and inwardly spaced from fche adjacent edgeof said top element, the 'other of said hinge elements having anextended portion receivable i-n said socket, and means for releasablylocking said extended portion in said socket.

2. In la table and -seat structure, normally horizontally disposed tabletop means including a frame and a iliat top element having its bottomsurface resting on and secured to said frame, supporting leg stnucturefor said top means attached to said frame, a normally horizontallydisposed seat element, a mounting device mounting said seat element tosaid top means for swinging movements of said seat element Ibetween anormally horizontally disposed operative position at one side of andbelow the level of said top means and :an inoperative storage positionin laterally inwardly spaced relation to said operative posi- |tionmhereof, said mounting device comprising a pair of cooperating hingeelements lone of which is secured to said seat element, said top meansand the other of said hinge elements having interengaging portionsdisposed immediately fbelow the .bottom sunface of said nop ele- :mentand laterally inwardly spaced from the adjacent edge of said .topelement, and locking mechanism re- Ileasably (locking saidinter-engaging portions against disengagement thereof.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS11,203,783 Reichmann Nov. 7, 1916 `1,871,667 Dal-ton Aug. 16, 19322,707,987 Gibson May 10, 1955 2,754,889 Lovelace July 17, 1956 2,771,937Wilson Nov. 27, 1956 2,921,825 Spiegel Jan. 19, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS944,502 France Nov. 2, 1948

1. IN A TABLE AND SEAT STRUCTURE, NORMALLY HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED TABLETOP MEANS, COMPRISING A FLAT TOP ELEMENT AND AN UNDERLYING SUPPORTINGFRAME SECURED TO SAID TOP ELEMENT, LEG STRUCTURE SECURED TO SAID FRAMEAND NORMALLY DEPENDING THEREFROM, A NORMALLY HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED SEATELEMENT, A MOUNTING DEVICE MOUNTING SAID SEAT ELEMENT TO SAID FRAME FORSWINGING MOVEMENTS OF SAID SEAT ELEMENT ON A HORIZONTAL AXIS AND BETWEENA HORIZONTAL DISPOSED OPERATIVE POSITION AT ONE SIDE OF AND BELOW THELEVEL OF SAID TOP ELEMENT AND AN INVERTED INOPERATIVE STORAGE POSITIONOF FACE-TO-FACE ENGAGEMENT WITH THE TOP SURFACE OF SAID TOP ELEMENT,SAID MOUNTING DEVICE COMPRISING A PAIR OF COOPERATING HINGE ELEMENTS ONEOF WHICH IS SECURED TO SAID SEAT ELEMENT, SAID FRAME DEFINING A SOCKETIMMEDIATELY BELOW THE BOTTOM SURFACE OF SAID TOP ELEMENT AND INWARDLYSPACED FROM THE ADJACENT EDGE OF SAID TOP ELEMENT, THE OTHER OF SAIDHINGE ELEMENTS HAVING AN EXTENDED PORTION RECEIVABLE IN SAID SOCKET, ANDMEANS FOR RELEASABLY LOCKING SAID EXTENDED PORTION IN SAID SOCKET.